This coming Sunday we'll see Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao in what could be his final bout. On the same card we'll get the chance to see a rising Filipino Phenom take on his biggest challenge as he battles for the interim WBA Featherweight title.

The Filipino in question is the unbeaten Jhack Tepora (21-0, 16) who steps up in class to face Edivaldo Ortega (26-1-1, 12) in what could genuinely turn out to be the fight of the weekend, despite the fact it's only for an interim title. Both fighters have styles that should gel, a lot to prove, and both will know this is a massive opportunity to make a name for themselves, fighting on a massive card in front of a global audience.

The 25 year old Tepora turned professional in early 2012 with fight fans in the Philippines predicting big things to come from him. He had been a notable amateur on the Filipino scene and was fighting in 8 rounders just 15 months after his professional debut. Despite being hotly tipped it wasn't until 2016 that Tepora fougth for his first title, claiming the PBF Super Bantamweight title in January of the year. He would however quickly add to his collection, winning the WBO Asia Pacific Yoth Super Bantamweight title and the WBO Oriental Super Bantamweight title by the end of the year. He would then add the World Boxing Organisation Inter-Continental featherweight title the following year with a sensational KO in South Africa against Lusanda Komanisi.

As with a lot of Filipino fighters Tepora has matured and moved up in weight notably. He made his debut as a 19 year old at Flyweight but looked a fully fleshed out Featherweight when he stopped Komanisi. He has certainly developed from a teenager into an adult and stood at 5'6” with a 67” reach he's a decent sized Featherweight. Also notably is the fact he's a heavy handed southpaw. He's not the most technically able, or the quickest or the smoothest in the ring. In fact he looks like he can be out boxed by a patient and smart fighter, but his power is brutal and not many will be able to handle his flush shots. Whilst not a technical genius Tepora is technically solid, and even without his power he's be a solid fighter, with that power however he's a real dangerman and someone who few will be in a rush to face.

Ortega is a 28 year old Mexican fighter who has been a professional since 2007 and, like Tepora, is a southpaw. Stylistically however he's not much of a puncher, having stopped only 1 of his last 7 opponents. Despite that he does hold notable inside the distance wins over the likes of Tomas Rojas and Christian Esquivel, whilst scoring solid decision wins over the likes of Drian Francisco and Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr. Stylistically his lack of power isn't really an issue as he's a technically capable swarmer, who throws a lot of leather, puts opponents on the back foot and keeps up a high pressure based tempo. His styles is genuinely a fun one to watch, and although it's unlikely to give him sustained success at the top level, it will make him a very TV friendly fighter for the next few years.

On paper Ortega holds more wins of note than Tepora, with victories over former world champions like Sanchez Jr and Rojas as well as world level contenders like Francisco and Esquivel. It should be noted however that those names are typically associated with lower weights, and in fairness all 4 were well beyond their best. That's not to say Ortega isn't a fantastic fighter, but his biggest wins can certainly be questioned, and this is the first time he'll be taking on a real, genuine, puncher.

We expect to see see Ortega apply the pressure from the early stages, putting Tepora on the back foot. That gives Tepora a great chance to land his dynamite shots, and if he does we'll see just how good Ortega's chin is. If Ortega can take Tepora's power we suspect the Mexican comes out on top, of what would be an amazing fight. If he can't then then Tepora could well score a highlight reel KO of the Mexican here to claim the interim world title.